Master of Science in Nursing
The WSSU Master of Science in Nursing Program focuses on the preparation of Advanced Nurse Educators (ANE) and Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP). The ANE concentration is designed to prepare graduates to demonstrate master’s level nursing practice in a nursing specialty area, teach in undergraduate nursing programs, and to fulfill clinical education and staff development positions in hospitals and other health care organizations. FNP graduates are prepared to provide comprehensive primary care to patients, across a broad range of health care settings, especially underserved and disadvantaged patients, and those of diverse ethnicity. Dedicated to the advancement of health and knowledge, both of these tracks are built on a strong foundation of science, health policy, health promotion, methodology and research. Graduates achieve a personal and intellectual transformation, a global perspective, and a creative approach to meeting the changing needs of the community and society.
Both MSN programs (Advanced Nurse Educator and Family Nurse Practitioner) and the two post-MSN certificate options (Advanced Nurse Educator and Family Nurse Practitioner) offer advanced practice education, qualifying those who complete program requirements to take national certification exams. FNP MSN and FNP post-master’s certificate graduates are eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) certification exam. ANE MSN and ANE post-master’s certificate graduates are eligible to take the National League for Nursing Certification for Nurse Educators (CNE) certification exam. The post-baccalaureate Nursing Education Certificate prepares nurses for beginning teaching roles in nursing education.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the MSN Program will demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Provide primary health care including health promotion and disease prevention in order to improve health outcomes for patients and families in all economic levels.
- Develop collaborative relationships with other health care providers to improve quality of care and access to health care for diverse and underserved populations.
- Function as expert clinicians in managing both acute and chronic physical and/or mental illness in a variety of settings.
- Utilize research findings, evidenced-based practice strategies, technology, and creativity to improve the delivery and outcomes of health care.
- Use ethical principles, standards of safe advanced nursing practice, and caring relationships to promote health and/or dignified death.
- Stimulate change within the profession and improve management of the health care delivery system by addressing legal and economic policies and the psychosocial, cultural, and environmental factors that affect health care.
- Demonstrate role development and commitment in the selected advanced practice role.
- Synthesize a wide range of theories from nursing and other related disciplines and apply to practice.
Application Deadlines
To be considered for early admission to the Graduate Nursing program, applicants must submit a complete application by February 15th for Fall admission. The final date to be considered for Fall admission is June 30th
MSN Admission
Submit an Admission essay of 350-500 words describing the reason for choosing the MSN program at WSSU, short and long term goals, your understanding of the advanced nursing role (ANE or FNP), qualities you possess that will help you become an excellent advanced practice nurse and plans for your nursing career upon completion of MSN.
Transfer Credits
Subject to approval and review of transcript, up to 9 hours of graduate transfer credits may be applied to the Advanced Nurse Educator concentration and 10 hours of graduate transfer credits may be applied toward the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration. Transfer credits will only be granted for graduate level courses completed with a grade of “B” or higher within the last five (5) years.
Degree Requirements
A total of thirty-nine (39) credit hours and two hundred and forty (240) practicum hours are required for completion of the ANE concentration; a total of fifty-one (51) credit hours and six hundred and seventy two (672) clinical hours are required for completion of the FNP concentration.
Time Limits for Degree Completion
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program can be completed within two years of full-time study. A student may not take longer than six years to complete the curriculum.
Admission Requirements
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Admission Requirements:
- Complete WSSU MSN Program Admissions Application
- A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally recognized accredited college or university
- A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or greater
- Official transcripts from all previous academic work
- Undergraduate courses in statistics, research, and health assessment with a grade of “C” or higher.
- One-year clinical nursing experience as a registered nurse (Waive for a GPA of 3.4)
- Three Letters of Reference. The letter should reflect the applicant’s intellectual ability, academic achievement, and professional commitment.
- Professional resume
- Documentation of an active and unencumbered North Carolina or Compact State registered nurse license
- Submit an Admission essay of 350-500 words describing the reason for choosing the MSN program at WSSU, short- and long-term goals, and your understanding of the advanced nursing role (ANE or FNP).
- Complete MSN Supplemental Application
Post Master’s Certificate Admission Requirements
- Complete WSSU Graduate Program Application
- Master’s degree in Nursing from a program accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body
- A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or greater
- Three Letters of Reference. The letter should reflect the applicant’s intellectual ability, academic achievement, and professional commitment.
- Professional resume or curriculum vitae
- Official transcripts from all previous academic work (MSN and BSN)
- Documentation of an active and unencumbered North Carolina or Compact State registered nurse license
- Copy of Nurse Practitioner Certification for Nurse practitioner applicants
- Submit an Admission essay of 350-500 words describing the reason for choosing the MSN program at WSSU, short and long term goals, and your understanding of the advanced nursing role (ANE or FNP).
Competencies
Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration (FNP)
Graduates of the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Competence in the domain of management of patient/illness.
- Competence in the domain of the nurse practitioner-patient relationship.
- Competence in the domain of teaching-coaching function.
- Competence in the domain of professional role.
- Competence in the domain of managing and negotiating health care delivery.
- Monitoring and ensuring the quality of health care practice.
Advanced Nurse Educator Concentration (ANE)
Graduates of the Advanced Nurse Educator concentration will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Apply critical thinking when making effective decisions and solving problems creatively with students, colleagues, administrators, and members of the interdisciplinary team
- Formulate learning objectives, learning strategies and activities in relationship to theories of teaching/learning
- Evaluate therapeutic nursing interventions of students to facilitate role development in the delivery of health care
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with students, colleagues, and administrators
- Integrate the role of scholarship, teaching, and service that foster improvement and innovation with health care nursing education environments
- Analyze economical, political, ethical, legal, and regulatory standards, which influence nursing and nursing education with the focus on the needs of rural, diverse, vulnerable, and aging populations
- Provide evidence-based teaching and practice the use of information technology.
- Demonstrate curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation.
- Demonstrate Master’s level practice skills.
All application materials should be submitted to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Winston Salem State University
Anderson Center
Suite 1111/1112
Winston-Salem, NC 27110
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